Match Report | Warrington Wolves 34-6 Sheffield Eagles

07/02/2026

Written by Will Russell

Sheffield Eagles were defeated 34-6 by Super League side Warrington Wolves on Friday evening in the third round of the Betfred Challenge Cup.

Coming into this game off the back of an18-6 win in the previous round against Whitehaven, Head Coach Craig Lingard named a similar team as he hoped his side could maintain momentum in this competition. The only change in the starting thirteen saw George Griffin come in for Jack Bussey, whilst Alex Foster was named on the interchange bench for the first time this season.

For Warrington, the tie marked their first competitive outing of the 2026 season, as the Wolves began their Challenge Cup campaign with the aim of going one step further than last year, when they finished as runners-up.

This tie was a throwback to the Eagles first two outings in the competition, when they faced Warrington in back-to-back seasons in 1985 and 1986, unfortunately losing both games. Hoping to beat a Super League side for the first time since 2015, the Eagles were looking to kick on from a strong start to the season and make a statement in the competition.

Conditions were far from ideal with rain driving down as the Eagles got us underway. The first five minutes were very even with both sides feeling their way into the game. A bit of Warrington pressure resulted in one of their kicks going long over the dead ball line and allowed the Eagles to escape. More Warrington pressure was met with stern Eagles defence, first pushing the winger over the right hand touch line, before Billy Walkley timed a tackle to perfection to force the Wolves to knock on. 

Ten minutes in and the Eagles continued their good start. Sticking to the game plan, Sheffield didn’t let Warrington get any sort of momentum, massive hits and pinpoint kicking forced them back into their half before a wayward kick gave the Eagles possession in the opposing half. 

After 15 minutes of almost perfect discipline, finally the Eagles made a mistake. Pressure from the Wolves forced an error and an interception saw them burst up the pitch. Excellent scramble defence from the Eagles wasn’t enough, as some slick hands put Toby King over in the corner for Warrington’s first try of the game.

Tails up after their first try, Warrington didn’t give the Eagles any space. Pinning them back in their own half, the Eagles defence couldn’t hold out, and Cai Taylor-Wray weaved his way through the middle of the Sheffield defence to dive over under the posts. 

After those two quick-fire tries, the Eagles regained their composure, sustaining attacks and pinning the Super League side in their half. Slick hands and intricate running lines put the Eagles within five metres of the try line, but an unsuccessful grubber attempt caused them to give up possession. 

Not put off by the last attempt, the Eagles were straight back at them. Strong carries in the middle of the pitch created space out wide, and some fast hands saw Kai Morgan dive over in the corner for the Eagles first try of the game. A successful conversion later by Jordan Lilley, and the Eagles were right back within four points. 

With only minutes to go until half time, the Eagles continued their fearless approach, full of confidence after their try, but it was Warrington who struck next. Quick ball speed created gaps in the Eagles defence, and unable to recover, the ball was shipped wide for Josh Thewlis to run in a simple try in the corner. The conversion was scored and Warrington extended their lead to ten points again. 

That was the final play of the first half, as a strong Eagles performance saw them go into half time 16-6 down.

The second half started much like the first. The first five minutes were played in the centre of the pitch, both sides unable to get the upper hand. A good spell of possession from the Eagles gave them a chance to compete for a kick in the corner, but some ill discipline allowed Warrington to escape. Straight up the other end, almost a carbon copy to the Eagles attack, a kick to compete in the corner was won by the Wolves but some stellar defence by Sheffield somehow managed to hold them up over the line.

Fourteen minutes into the second half and Warrington struck again. After almost fifteen minutes of perfect Eagles defence, finally the Super League side broke through. Bumping off the defender, a clean offload gave Taylor-Wray an open try line to score his second of the game.

That try put them fully in control and despite the best efforts of the Eagles defence, Warrington were through again and they couldn’t stop Albert Hopoate from scoring their fifth of the game.

With less than fifteen minutes to go, the Eagles were beginning to tire. After over an hour of going toe-to-toe with the Super League side, small errors and missed tackles began to creep into their game. This didn’t put them off however as they continued to take the game to the Wolves, showcasing some flair on the wings to get close to their try line. 

Into the last ten minutes of the game, and some more missed tackles gave the Wolves a golden opportunity which Tommy Rhodes seized for a try on his full debut for the club, as he stretched the lead to 34-6.

That was the final action of the game as the Eagles Challenge Cup journey came to an end. 

A valiant Eagles effort was not enough to overcome the Wolves in what was a fierce contest. A try from Kai Morgan gave them hope, but it was not enough to beat the Super League side.

Looking to bounce back in the league, the Eagles take on Halifax Panthers away in the Betfred Championship next Sunday, 15th February, at The MBI Shay (3pm KO).

Sheffield: Marsh, Brown, Hodson, Gill, Walkley, Morgan, Lilley, Matongo, Bowes, Reilly, Bower, Farrell, Griffin

Replacements: Fitzsimmons, Johnson, Peachey, Foster

18th Man: Broadbent

Tries: Morgan (32’)

Goals: Lilley (1/1)

Warrington: Taylor-Wray, Thewlis, King, Hopoate, Smith, Williams, Sneyd, Byrne, Walker, Thomas, Stone, Bentley, Currie

Replacements: Crowther, Philbin, Rhodes, Tanginoa

18th Man: Wood

Tries: King (16’), Taylor-Wray (21’, 54’), Thewlis (38’), Hopoate (61’), Rhodes (70’)

Goals: Sneyd (5/6)